Delegates of China, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States walk on the ramp during the 1961 Miss World Competition. Large audience cheers the participants. Miss United Kingdom, Rose Marie Franklin wins the competition and is crowned by Hollywood star Bob Hope. Winner and runners-up pose for photographs.

Opening scene shows statue outside Le Musée des Monuments Francais, at the Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France. The Eiffel Tower is in the background. Tourists take pictures of the tower from another building. Views from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, of paris, and of the Seine River and several bridges over it. Sightseeing boat cruising on the river. View from atop the Arch of Triumph of traffic on the Champs-Élysees. Traffic encircling the Arch (Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile). View of bridge over the Seine.

Glimpse of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) making a speech at his inauguration,on the Capitol steps, Washington, DC, in January, 1961. The White House. President Kennedy speaking on June 6, 1961, to report the the American people about his just completed 4-day trip to Europe. View of Air Force One taxiing in after landing at Orly Airport, Paris, France. French President, Charles de Gaulle strides red carpet to the President's plane, as President and Mrs. Kennedy descend to the foot of the stairs, where de Gaulle greets them. American and French flags wave on flag poles and a French military band plays as the two Presidents walk on a red carpet. Madame de Gaulle and French Government leaders are gathered in Airport reception room, where U.S. ambassador, James Gavin, introduces JFK to members of the French welcoming committee, including Lee Radziwill, his sister-in-law, whom he kisses. Glimpse of cinematographers. President de Gaulle gives formal welcoming speech. President Kennedy makes some brief responding remarks. The two Presidents drive from the airport in an open car, escorted by mounted Guards of the French Republic. Scene reverts back to JFK's report to the people on June 6th in Washington, DC, and then to de Gaulle stepping from a car and the the two First Ladies stepping from a French Citroen limousine. American Flag flying with those of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The two Presidents and First Ladies pose for pictures.

View of chandelier and tapestries in reception rooms of the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France. U.S. President John F. Kennedy and James Gavin, U.S. Ambassador to France, stand in a receiving line during a diplomatic reception hosted by the President, during his visit to Paris, in June, 1961. The President greets members of the Paris diplomatic corps. Scene shifts to exterior of NATO headquarters, where flags of the NATO nations fly in flag poles. Inside, President Kennedy addresses representatives of the organization.

U.S. President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy ride in an open car for a civic reception at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) during their State visit to Paris, France, in June, 1961. A contingent of Republican Guards form an honor guard at the entrance as the President and first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy step from their car to enter. Crowds of Parisians cheer and wave enthusiastically from the sidewalks as they enter the Hall to be greeted by the President of the Paris Municipal Council. After speaking in the City Hall, the President and Mrs. Kennedy are seen being escorted by the Council President as they leave the building and mingle with Parisians. Next, Mrs. Kennedy and Madame de Gaulle are seen arriving at a French Public School, where the American flag is displayed. Mrs. Kennedy is surrounded by enthusiastic Parisians. Final scenes show the Kennedys leaving the terminal building at Orly Airport, accompanied by French Premier, Michel Debre and Foreign Minister, Maurice Couve de Murville. The President's airplane is parked at the end of a red carpet and is next seen in flight. Views of Paris and of the Air Force One engines from inside the aircraft.

During 1961 in build up to Berlin Crisis: Barbed wire on border seen from West Berlin side (initial Berlin Wall). Russian soldier uses binoculars to watch an approaching jeep. Jeep stops because of barrier. Sign shows 'Achtung 500m Schutzstreifen'. Men carry a box through woods fleeing or escaping into West Germany before the border was fully closed. A man with his bicycle passing over a narrow path into West Germany, as another man passes over on foot. People in a canoe approaching a west German bank of the river or lake as they flee from east Germany. A street bus approaches and parks near an intersection with street sign for "Marienfelder Allee." Men, women, and children refugees with their suitcases on a street as they gather near a refugee processing center, before heading into West Germany. A bulldog tied. A mother feeds her baby. Young refugees on streets, refugees board bus. A map show allocation of German parts to France, United States, England and Soviet Union. Traffic on road in Berlin, with view of the bombed (from World War 2) Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church or the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, in the background. Many German civilian pedestrians walking on streets in busy West Berlin. 1950's and 1960's cars and trucks on busy Berlin streets. People in outdoor cafe restaurant. Telefunken building is seen.